I now see why the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is your favorite Museum! I finally went for a visit and was enthralled with Isabella’s intimate and thoughtfully curated collection of art from her travels around the world. There was so much to appreciate! I swooned over her garden of course and was inspired by her book collection which showcased her many interests~everything from horticulture to music. (I would have loved to crack open her gardening books!)

Her art collection reflected her love of people and humanity. She had many portraits of her friends, family, and contemporaries which felt so intimate. I especially loved seeing how she displayed the many drawings she collected and displayed on the front and backs of old doors that could be leafed through. What a great idea!

Another thing I really appreciated were the little nooks she created for spending time with special paintings to really see and contemplate the art. The empty frames in these photos once held the paintings that were stolen in the great art heist. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to sit here and absorb them deeply. Aren’t the little collections she put with them a great touch as well? I loved seeing these vintage finds!

“YEARS AGO I DECIDED THAT THE GREATEST NEED IN OUR COUNTRY WAS ART. WE WERE A VERY YOUNG COUNTRY AND HAD VERY FEW OPPORTUNITIES OF SEEING BEAUTIFUL THINGS, WORKS OF ART. SO, I DETERMINED TO MAKE IT MY LIFE’S WORK IF I COULD.”

~ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER

I too love collecting art from my travels, as well as from my art friends. I have little nooks and collections throughout my house and love mixing them up and moving them around. Doing this gives me an opportunity to fully appreciate them all over again. Isabella put so much thought and time into her collections. I left the Museum feeling truly inspired by her many passions the respect she had for art of all art disciplines.

Sending you the most magical day!

love,

p.s. I shared my favorite parts of her garden along with a new painting over on my blog if you want to take a peek. It was such a serene, lovely place….